Comings and Goings

Jay Cutler – no. Marvel Smith quite possibly, yes. Cutler seems destined to stay in Denver. Word is owner Pat Bowlen might be overruling new coach Josh McDaniels and forcing McDaniels to make nice with his diva thrower. Everyone has a price and Cutler might be tradable, but the price is supposedly very high and far too rich for the 49ers.

Barring the unforeseen, Smith, the former Steelers right tackle, could be a 49er soon. The former Skyline High (Oakland) product apparently wants to finish his career near his home and so far, the Smith camp seems comfortable with playing incentives, which would include time spent on the 45-man, game-day roster.

Those stipulations provide the 49ers protection against Smith’s persistent back problems.

Reports have it that cornerback Donald Strickland signed in New York. That’s a loss; Strickland was versatile tough and you hate to lose native San Franciscans. At least maybe Strickland can sign more than a one-year contract, which was more than the 49ers were only willing to offer the last two years.

UPDATE:I just got a message from Strickland. He’s a New York Jet, sorry I botched that one (earlier I wrote he signed in Miami). He also said the 49ers didn’t match the Jets’ three-year deal.